Opelousas, Louisiana –The Grade I $200,000 added LQHBA Futurity for two-year-old state breds is just one of fourteen stakes events to be run during the 40-night fall quarter horse meeting at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, scheduled to run from September 20 through November 25.

The stakes action kicks off on opening night with a special thirteen race program. Each and every one of the thirteen races is a trial for the rich LQHBA Sales Futurity for two-year-old Louisiana breds. Each trial is worth $14,000 with the ten fastest qualifiers advancing to the $305,077.75 final to be run on Saturday, October 7th. The next ten fastest qualifiers will do battle in the consolation to be run on Friday, October 6th. The consolation is worth $53,837.25.

In addition to the expanded stakes program, daily purse distribution will be $120,000, an all-time high. This has led to an unprecedented interest by horsemen locally and from across the country. Newcomers include nationally renowned trainer John Buchanan, who brings a power packed stable including Don’t Let Down, 3rd place finisher in the $2,000,000 All American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. Anthony Arey and Larry Kopycinski, two successful trainers primarily based in Texas will join other prominent stables including Heath Taylor, Janet Van Bebber, and Ray Robbins in an attempt to dethrone last year’s leading trainer Kenny Roberts, who is back to defend his title. Last year’s leading rider, Danny Lavernge who will once again ride first call for Roberts, is back to defend his title against veteran jockeys Alvin Brossette, Ron Lejeune, Alfonso Lujan, and Gilbert Ortiz to name just a few.

While our richest events are for the two-year-olds, our beefed-up overnight program as well as our stakes line-up will provide plenty of opportunity for both three-year-olds and for older campaigners, said Jason Boulet, racing secretary at the Opelousas, Louisiana, track.

Evangeline Downs’ 2006 fall stakes schedule.

Sept. 23
Don Cravins Stakes 3&up 440 yds $35,000 added
Sept. 3
Billy Montgomery 3&upf/m 350 yds. $35,000 added
Oct. 6
EVD Graduation Stakes 3&4yo 400 yds $35,000 added
Oct. 6
LQHBA Futurity (cons) 2yo 350 yds $53,087
Oct. 7
LQHBA Futurity 2yo 350 yds $305,077
Oct. 14
Sunset Stake 3&up 870 yds $20,000 added
Oct. 21
Yambilee Stakes 3&up 440 yds $20,000 added
Oct. 27
Opelousas Stakes 3&upf/m 400 yds $20,000 added
Oct. 28
EVD Derby 3yo 400 yds $50,000 added
Nov. 11
Grand Coteau Stakes 3&up 870 yds $25,000 added
Nov. 11
EVD Futurity 2yo 400 yds $75,000 added
Nov. 18
EVD Dash 3&up 220 yds $20,000 added
Nov. 24
LQHBA Futurity (cons) 2yo 400 yds TBA
Nov. 25
LQHBA Futurity Gr. I 2yo 400 yds $200,000 added

Racing will be conducted four evenings a week, Wed thru Sat with a first post of 6:40 p.m. central time.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337 594-3000.